Four more Mbabazi supporters jailed over Ntungamo clashes

Some of Independent presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi supporters flash the Go Forward symbol at court in Ntungamo District on Wednesday. PHOTO BY PEREZ RUMANZI 

Ntungamo- Four more supporters of Independent presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi on Wednesday appeared in Ntungamo Grade II magistrate’s court and were also remanded.

They are Frank Batemyeto, Ramathan Onzima, Lawrence King Mugabe and Rogers Nduga.

The court presided over by Mr Anania Tusiime remanded them for lack of jurisdiction to try them on offences of grievous harm and malicious damage.

They did not take plea on the two offenses.
They were only allowed to take plea on assault charges. The four are accused of assaulting eight people in Ntungamo Town on December 13, but they denied the charges.

“You cannot enter plea because this court has no jurisdiction to try you. You will reappear here again on January 4, in a competent court, where you will take plea and possibly apply for bail,” said Mr Tusiime.

Their lawyer, Mr Onesmus Matsiko, protested the way the suspects were taken to the court, arguing that the process was hijacked as the lawyers and the accused were not told to prepare.

He also said the jurisdiction magistrate was not present.
“This was an ambush on our side. The magistrate whom they appeared before has no powers and it was set up so that the suspects do not apply for bail. However, there is hope that justice (process) has begun. We were just scared of where they will be taken,” Mr Matsiko told Daily Monitor at the court.

While remanding other seven suspects on Tuesday, the Grade One magistrate, Mr Richard Ndangwa, said he would resume court when the New Year begins.

Mr Benon Turyamureeba, Mr Elia Mayinja, Mr Abudulla Kasajja, Mr Jamir Mutebi, Mr George Sebatindira, Mr Asadu Semakura and Mr Frank Kabari are on remand pending court ruling on their bail application on January 4. Mr Christopher Aine, the head of Mr Mbabazi’s security, whose name had been included on charge sheet on Tuesday before it was amended, still was not produced in court on Wednesday.

Ntungamo District Police Commander Baker Kawonawo said the four were the only remaining suspects in police custody while many more were still at large.

Meanwhile, Mr Bight Muhumuza, the coordinator for Mr Mbabazi campaigns in Ankole sub-region, who had been arrested as he went to check on his colleagues in Ntungamo court on Tuesday, has been released on police bond.
He was released on Wednesday afternoon but was charged with assault, causing grievous harm and malicious damage..

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com